Why Lilo & Stitch the Movie made this mom cry at the movies

As a single mom, I’ve gotten pretty good at holding things together: school runs, deadlines, playtime, tantrums, bills, bedtime stories. It’s a never-ending juggling act. But nothing prepared me for how deeply the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake would hit.

I expected a cute film to watch with my son. What I didn’t expect was to feel so seen.

Set in modern-day Hawai’i, the movie tells the story of Lilo, a quirky, spirited little girl, and her older sister Nani, who’s been forced to grow up too fast and take on the role of parent. Watching Nani fight tooth and nail to keep her sister safe, fed, and together despite all the odds – it cracked something open in me. Because I’ve been there. I am there.

I’ve cried through milestones, questioned if I’m doing enough, and stretched myself in every direction just to make sure my son never feels the gap. This film? It understood that, in a way, few family movies do.

But it’s not just heavy. Lilo & Stitch is funny, chaotic, and bursting with heart. My son laughed the entire time – at Stitch’s antics, Lilo’s sass, the Elvis songs, the aliens. I laughed, too. And cried. And laughed again.

The movie doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles of real families. But it also reminds us of the magic that can come from them. Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Even when your family looks different, even when things fall apart, love holds it all together.

The updated visuals are stunning, the cast is great (a big yes to Filipino-Hawaiian representation!), and the story stays true to what made the original so special. But what truly makes this version shine is the emotional depth it brings. As a parent, I felt every beat.

If you’re a single mom like me, or just a parent trying your best every day, this movie will tug at your heart most unexpectedly.

Parenting may be challenging, but it is also filled with joy, hope and moments worth treasuring.

“Lilo & Stitch” is more than just a summer movie, it’s a heartwarming story of love, belonging and family.